2nd Test XI
1. A Cook
2. A Lyth
3. R Taylor
4. B McCullum
5. BJ Watling
6. L Ronchi
7. J Buttler+
8. M Craig
9. T Southee
10. S Broad
11. T Boult
The Composite 2-Why-Isn't-This-Actually-3 Test XI
1. A Cook - Back to his best, edges Watling for batsman of the series though both had completely different roles.
2. T Latham/M Guptill - can't separate them but would rather one of them over Lyth even if he did have one good century.
3. K Williamson - one excellent century (except for the final 20 runs or so
) but dose 3 wickets! Getting Cook who played for Craig's turn, shrewd captaincy well executed by Kane.
4. J Root - 1st Test gets him in. 2nd Test proved he is mortal somewhat
5. BJ Watling - what do we need to say? God. Couldn't really consider him for keeping duties due to his 1 session of it.
6. B Stokes - First match still gets him in, was superb.
7. J Buttler+ - Perhaps a surprise choice but his 1st Test 50 was crucial I thought and I was thoroughly impressed by his 2nd second innings effort even if he did get out leaving. Wasn't huge fan of his glovework but neither was Ronchi (30+byes on debut) even though the latter bludgeoned a vital 88.
8. M Craig - haters gonna hate but the windy conditions dried out the pitch and he capitalised. Also some very vital runs in the 2nd Test. Performed better than Ali in both departments imo.
9. M Wood/T Southee - this was tricky. Southee's 4 in the first innings of the 2nd was important but wasn't at his best and Henry had a gunnish 1st test but went mostly missing in this one, that superb delivery to Ali aside. Wood was a wicket taker (SR of 48) and a decent find, not too shabby with the bat either!
10. S Broad - kept taking wickets even if it was the most expensive 5fer in history, but he still bowled well in the 1st Test and hit a determined NZ batting outfit in the 2nd.
11. T Boult - consummate professional even if his line was off in whole spells; would just adjust in the next one and come back swinging.